GENEVA, Switzerland – November 3, 2025 – In a significant move to combat rising breast cancer mortality, particularly in developing nations, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), and the WHO Academy have officially launched a new online learning course for health professionals worldwide.
The course, titled “Using the IARC Atlas of Breast Cancer Early Detection,” is designed to rapidly enhance the capacity of frontline health-care workers in recognizing and managing breast abnormalities. The initiative comes as breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer among women globally, responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths annually, with a disproportionate number occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Bridging the Training Gap
The flexible, one-hour course, made freely available on the WHO Academy platform, targets primary health-care providers, nurses, community health workers, radiologists, and pathologists. It serves as a practical, interactive guide to the comprehensive IARC Atlas of Breast Cancer Early Detection.
Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of IARC, emphasized the course’s vital role in global capacity building. “We know that early detection saves lives, but access to high-quality screening and diagnostic training remains uneven,” she stated. “This course helps close that gap by empowering health professionals at every level.”
The learning modules incorporate a mix of multimedia content, including:
- Video Tutorials: Demonstrating essential examination and imaging techniques.
- Case Studies: Illustrated scenarios based on real-patient experiences.
- Standardized Tools: Reporting templates and checklists to improve communication across multidisciplinary teams.
Advancing Global Health Goals
Dr. Solange Peters, President of ESMO, highlighted the commitment to equitable care, noting that the partnership aims “to ensure that all health-care providers from rural clinics to urban hospitals have access to the latest knowledge, techniques, and diagnostic tools.”
The joint effort directly supports the objectives of the WHO’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI), which aims for a 2.5 percent reduction in global breast cancer mortality per year. Achieving this goal could potentially save 2.5 million lives by 2040.
Health professionals and community educators are encouraged to enroll in the free course via the WHO Academy platform to strengthen their knowledge and contribute to the global mission of reducing cancer disparities.